Chinese delighted to ride rails on a slow train to Gembrook [The Age]

Victoria: It used to be Japanese tourists keeping Australian tourism doing well; and now the Chinese are playing their part as this report by the Age suggests. This is perhaps one of the ‘accidental’ features of China’s people’s diplomacy – in some cases such as this, locals are happy the Chinese arrive to stimulate the economy.

YESTERDAY’S 2.30 service from Belgrave to Gembrook should have been a sight to gladden a tourism minister’s heart. About two-thirds of Puffing Billy’s passengers were Chinese visitors – snapping pictures and giving each other victory salutes.

Yet as the tiny train pulled out in a cloud of steam and smoke, those left at the station who manage one of the world’s oldest and most successful heritage railways fear bureaucracy could railroad it.

On Tuesday, a report to State Parliament warned that the largely volunteer-staffed organisation was at risk unless it received a substantial cash injection. The claim is for $26 million over five years.